This team is tough, confident and resilient and much of that identity comes from its head coach. Rex Ryan has done an unbelievable job and has this team believing it can go all the way.
No play exemplifies Ryan’s contribution more than the fourth down call he made with just over one minute to play. Although he took a timeout to make sure, there was no doubt in Ryan’s mind that he would go for it.
I love the fight in this guy and the confidence he shows in his team. He knew the Chargers would be expecting a power run and went with it anyway.
As he would say after the game, Ryan went with his bread and butter and that was Thomas Jones following Alan Faneca into the hole. And Jones got to ice the game with a 2-yard run.
Jones and Shonn Greene collectively form the tandem we can simply refer to as “bread and butter”. There is nothing fancy about either guy. They run hard and churn out the tough yards behind the best offensive line in the business.
It is time this o-line gets the credit it deserves. Along with Tony Richardson, this group paved the way for “bread and butter” all day.
The yards were tough to come by early as the Jets went “three and out” on its first four possessions. But give Ryan credit for sticking to his game plan.
The Chargers’ front was fast and quick but they were not built for the punishment the Jets’ line dished out. Ryan knew San Diego would wear down eventually and kept pounding away.
After 15 rushing attempts in the first half, the Jets stepped it up with another 24 in the second. As the Jets had done most of the season, they broke off a big run but it was made possible by all the two and three yarders that preceded it.
If we eliminate Greene’s 53-yard touchdown, his average would have been 3.4 yards per carry, which highlights how tough it was for the Jets’ running game against a defense that was committed to stop it.
The Chargers brought eight and nine men in the box and did a heck of a job. Of the Jets’ 39 rushing attempts, 14 went for 3-yards or fewer.
But like a heavyweight taking his opponent’s jabs, the Jets hung in there and waited for an opening. Their haymaker would come with 8-minutes to go in the game and the Jets clinging to a 10-7 lead.
On a first and ten at his own 47, Mark Sanchez handed off to Greene on a simple dive up the middle. The left side of the offensive line did a tremendous job of muscling the Chargers’ right side out of the play.
Mangold did a great job, dominating the nose tackle and D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Faneca double-teamed the end. Tony Richardson had a great lead block and Greene had a clean lane.
Ben Hartsock also did a nice job sealing the safety as did Wallace Wright on the linebacker but CB Antonio Cromartie was left unblocked. He was in position to make the play and watched Greene run right by him. What a pussy!
In a classless move, Cromartie gave Greene a shoulder from behind after he had already scored. I guess if you are too afraid to hit a guy head-on the next best thing is to give him a cheap shot when he is not looking.
Not too many coaches would have stayed with something that was not getting major results but Ryan did and his team repaid his faith. Also, let’s not forget where Ryan’s conviction comes from.
He believes in his defense for it is that unit that embodies him out on the field. As one of the best defensive minds in the game, Ryan knows his schemes will work. So long as he prepares his squad well, he has the firm belief they will shut down the opposition.
The Jets’ defense played a very sound and disciplined game. It was not flashy but it was extremely effective in its efficiency and teamwork.
The defensive line did a great job of holding the point of attack. The Chargers only attempted 18 runs on the day for a meager 3.4-yard average. The longest was a 22-yarder by Darren Sproles but that did not come until late in the game.
LaDanian Tomlinson was a non-factor and the Jets’ front seven was the primary reason why. He had 12 rushes for a mere 2.0 yards per carry. The entire Jets’ defensive line rotation did a great job swarming to the football but Sione Pouha and Mike DeVito played especially well.
With no running game to keep the Jets’ defense off-balance, Phillip Rivers was forced to put his team on his back but the Jets’ #1 pass defense created too much weight for the six-year vet. The Jets’ pass rush only produced two sacks and two hits on him but they consistently threatened the pocket and forced him to rush his throws.
Rivers never looked comfortable and became more erratic as the game wore on. His passes were off-target and his receivers had a number of drops as a result.
The analysts will say it was the Chargers’ mistakes that lost the game but it was the Jets’ smothering defense that caused many of them. Their offense was not used to fighting for every yard. After scoring no less than 20 points in any one game, they had come to expect big plays and big leads.
They could not handle the dogfight that ensued and unraveled under the pressure. The offense in particular could not handle the physical nature of the Jets’ defense and committed seven of the team’s 10 penalties.
As a true measure of their frustration, they committed two of the team’s three personal fouls, one of which was a bizarre play where Vincent Jackson kicked the Jets’ challenge flag. The 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct diminished his remarkable 37-yard sideline catch.
The pressure really got to the Chargers’ kicker, All-Pro Nate Kaeding who missed two makeable field goals of 36 and 40 yards and was 0-3 on the day. This guy will be seeing the Jets in his nightmares. Kaeding has now missed five field goals in two career playoff games against the Jets.
Major kudos must go out to the Jets’ safeties. Kerry Rhodes and Jim Leonhard played a terrific game. They combined for 14 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, 2 passes defensed, 1 tackle for loss and 1 hit on the quarterback. Wow!
Rhodes’ sack and strip of Rivers on a key 3rd down stopped San Diego as it was driving to answer the Jets’ first touchdown. The Chargers were fortunate to recover and prevented the Jets from really capitalizing on this play.
San Diego also received a big break from the officials in the second quarter when Leonhard put a huge hit on WR Malcolm Floyd. The Chargers’ receiver appeared to fumble but the pass was ruled incomplete.
This play encapsulated the Jets’ first half. They seemed to make big plays but were either robbed by bad calls or were a split second late to jump on a loose ball.
Leonhard made an opportunistic play in the fourth quarter, however, taking advantage of a miscommunication between Antonio Gates and Rivers. With the Chargers backed up at their own 9-yard line he came up with an interception returned it 11-yards to the Chargers’ 16. The Jets scored four plays later on Sanchez’ pass to Keller.
Kerry Rhodes’ big plays were not limited to defense as he showed great athleticism on the Chargers’ onside kick. He skied to pull down a well-executed kick.
The ball hung in the air and allowed the Chargers to get under it. Had Rhodes not pulled it down, Phillip Rivers would have had the ball at his own 38 with over two minutes to play and two timeouts (including the two-minute warning).
Rhodes’ recovery was a huge play in this game. Giving the ball to Rivers with two minutes and two timeouts to work with is trouble. This game could have had a very different outcome if Rhodes did not come down with that ball.
And this game would have ended differently if Sanchez did not make enough plays. There is no question the Jets try to limit his chances and keep him out of dangerous situations but you cannot completely hide a quarterback in the playoffs. Eventually he has to stick some throws and he did just that against the Chargers.
One of my keys going into this game was Sanchez working the quick slants to Cotchery and Edwards and he connected on a critical one on the Jets’ second scoring drive. On third and seven at his own 40, Sanchez hit Cotchery on a beautiful throw on a quick slant for 7 and a first down.
Sanchez went 12-23 on the day but he hit on passes when he had to and none was bigger than his touchdown to Keller. Sanchez bought time on a rollout and allowed Keller to uncover.
Credit has to go to Sanchez’ pass protection. The Jets’ blockers gave him time to make the play and Shonn Greene, in particular, made a key block.
He held up DE Luis Castillo, a guy who outweighs him by more than 70 pounds, which gave Sanchez the corner.
Major props go to the Jets’ offensive line that not only paved the way to 169 rushing yards but also kept Sanchez upright. They allowed only one sack on the day and kept the pocket clean for him.
What a great team effort in this one. The Jets battled for four quarters and came away with a hard-fought win.
They are a tough match up, no matter whom they play. On film they do not look like anything special. They are not flashy but they are physical and tough.
Rex Ryan said it perfectly in his post game remarks, “We’re a match up nobody wanted but too bad, here we come.”
With another date with Indy, this team still has a lot to play for. Most people deemed their win in week 16 a gift and will have ample motivation to prove their doubters wrong.
This Jets’ team is dangerous. They allow few opportunities for opposing offenses and are relentless with their pressure. Their offense will not wow you with big plays but it wears you down physically.
The Jets’ win against San Diego established them as a legitimate title contender and any team that takes them lightly will do so at their own peril.